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I've tried the search box on this issue to no avail. I hit the side of my garage and damaged my RH folding mirror. Everytime I start the car the housing moves all the way forward. I have to manually move it back into place. This happens with the auto function on or off. I'm thinking of buying a new assembly which isn't cheap and installing myself. Has anyone here had this issue and repaired it themselves?
You said that you manually moved the right side mirror back into place. Did you try setting the mirrors on fold so that the left side mirror was folded and then pulling the right side mirror backward into the folded position?
These mirrors are usually pretty forgiving when pulled forward or backward by an obstruction but I never enter or exit my garage with mirrors in their extended positions.
I broke mine, too. I guess some gear inside is broken and made it thought it's in the wrong position, so everytime the car starting, it wants to go back to the right position. Since the side mirror is about 700 dollars something, I decide to save some money now, so I just unpluged the auto folding wire inside, and it never turns itself again.
There's some kind of stop broken on the folding mechanism. No matter if the auto switch is on or off. Found a new one online from a dealer out west for 600. I took it apart and it doesn't appear that any part of the mechanism is servicable. Couldn't find any parts for the folding motor.
There's some kind of stop broken on the folding mechanism. No matter if the auto switch is on or off. Found a new one online from a dealer out west for 600. I took it apart and it doesn't appear that any part of the mechanism is servicable. Couldn't find any parts for the folding motor.
If it's like some other Toyota/Lexus motorized retractable mirrors, the "stop" you mentioned is a spring loaded pin that should drop into a hole when the mirror is pushed back into position after being wacked out of position by an obstacle. It sounds like the pin is currently so far out of position that it can't be get back into the hole.
I assume you removed the mirror from the door. Were there hidden fasteners (screws/bolts) under the arm where it attaches to the door that allow removing the mirror housing from the arm? If you can detach the mirror from it's arm, you might be able to get the pin back into the necessary position.
If you buy a new mirror, you might want to keep your old one in case the motor in the replacement ever fails. Even though replacement motors for Toyota/Lexus retractable mirrors aren't listed in the parts lists, they can still often be replaced with salvaged motors or new motors from eBay.
I didn't take it off the door, I just took it apart while still mounted. I went ahead and ordered a new mirror and just going to replace it. When I had it apart there was a plastic shroud covering the spring mechanism. I couldn't see any way to remove it without removing it from the door. I've noticed in vids. of the mirrors without auto folding have a round spring like clip washer that you just reinstall. I guess I'll find out when I get the mirror off. Didn't like having to buy a new one but I just don't have the time to diagnose and fix the existing one.
If you have time and there's a Lexus dealership or Lexus collision repair shop nearby, you might still drop by and see if they have a technique to snap the mirror back into place. The cam and pin mechanism that allows these mirrors to be defected by an obstruction is simple and robust. I hate to say that we've had so many collisions - mainly with deer and crap that fell from commercial vehicles - that I'm on a first name basis with the people at a Lexus collision repair center. They laugh whenever I walk in! They would gladly spend a little time to attempt to fix this kind of problem.
I went to my local dealer and they looked at it and stated whole assembly needs replaced. Part and labor is $1400. That's why I just ordered a new OE one for 600. I have a nephew who's pretty handy who will help me replace it. I'll never hit my garage opening again!
I went to my local dealer and they looked at it and stated whole assembly needs replaced. Part and labor is $1400. That's why I just ordered a new OE one for 600. I have a nephew who's pretty handy who will help me replace it. I'll never hit my garage opening again!
I can see how replacing a mirror would be a Lexus dealer's protocol since doing that is a sure thing. Attempting a repair like this is definitely not a sure thing.
It should be easy enough to replace. I've popped door panels off Lexus and Toyota vehicles and removed/reinstalled exterior mirrors a number of times and the procedure is always the same except for the location of sometimes hidden fasteners. The only tools I've needed are a fiber trim removal tool, a Phillips screwdriver, a set of metric sockets and sometimes a clip puller.
Here's a diagram of the door panel that might be useful. Some of the videos on YouTube might help too.
Thanks for looking up the diagram, we might need to refer to it when installing. I always hated doing door panels but I'm sure we'll figure things out.
Replaced mirror assembly on Saturday and it only took 20 minutes from start to finish. Couldn't believe how easy it was and the dealer quoted 2 hours on it, no way!
06-19-19, 11:53 AM
14 RX broken auto folding mirror
